Natural oasis in Zagreb – Go green!

Photography by Marko Vrdoljak

The city of Zagreb is over 900 years old! Besides great historical and interesting sights, there is ANOTHER side of the city – nature filled green Zagreb!

If you want to get out of the city center, there are many places you can go to experience nature and greenery – Maksimir Park known as the ‘lungs of the city’, the Jarun Lake aka the ‘Zagreb sea’, the Medvednica Mountain, and of course the Lake Bundek where all the floral shows take place as soon as the weather becomes a bit warmer. The best thing is that all of these places are just a few tram stations away from the Ban Josip Jelačić Square. But first let us take a stroll in the heart of the Capital.

During the 19th and early 20th century the urbanistic plans of the Habsburg Monarchy gave the city the much appreciated and beloved – LENUZZI HORSESHOE or ‘the green horseshoe’ as most locals like to call it. In the shape of the letter U, the greenery surrounds 3 city blocks. This unique combination of 7 squares, containing parks and cultural institutions situated in the very center of Zagreb give the city a different beat then most cities in Europe. At any given day of the year you will find people just walking around the horseshoe and enjoying the fresh air.

MAKSIMIR PARK is one of the first public parks in the world, situated just across Maksimir Stadium or the Dinamo football clubs’ official stadium (note for all football (soccer) fans). It spreads over 316 ha and is significant because of a hundred-year-old oak forests as well as being the home to the endangered species – middle spotted woodpecker. With many gravel roads, meadows, lakes and the forest, Maksimir Park is one of the most popular points in Zagreb, especially on Sunday’s.

Lake Jarun

Photography by Marko Vrdoljak

LAKE JARUN is part of the sports recreational center that spreads over 240 ha and is the second home to all rowers, kayakers and canoeists. You can enjoy all kinds of different sports or just simply take a walk around the lake which is, for the non-sporty types, an intensive exercise by itself.

Last but not least is the LAKE BUNDEK. Situated between the old city and Novi Zagreb (the New Zagreb), the lake provides a great green shelter and boundary. For years, it is the prime place for all flower fairs that take place in Zagreb and a great spot for an easy relaxing stroll.